Navigating Task Time Estimation #

Achieving precise estimates is often challenging due to the inherent uncertainties in software projects. In this article, we declare essential estimation rules and strategies that can help to improve estimation accuracy, manage risks, and enhance overall project outcomes.

Key Rules for Task Estimation #

Break Down Tasks:

Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable components - ask your lead/PM to help if needed. Ensure each sub-task is clear and well-defined.
When research is required, report and treat it as a separate task and estimate it independently before starting the actual development work.

Use Historical Data:

Analyze previous similar tickets to gather data on how long similar tasks took.
Use this data to inform current estimates.

Involve the Whole Team:

Conduct estimation meetings where team members can discuss the complexty and refine estimates.
Leverage the collective experience and perspectives of the team.

Estimate in Ranges:

Provide a range (e.g., 3-5 days) instead of a single number to account for uncertainty.
Use the best-case and worst-case scenarios to define these ranges.

Consider All Factors:

Account for time spent on planning, development, local testing, code reviews, test covering, deployment, testing, debugging, and bug-fixing.
Include time for regular communication, meetings, and potential interruptions.

Review and Adjust:

Regularly review estimates against actual time taken.
Adjust future estimates based on past experiences and lessons learned.

Account for Risks:

Identify potential risks and uncertainties.
Multiply the initial estimate by a safety factor (e.g., 1.3 to 2) to cover unplanned work and uncertainties.

Iterative Estimation:

Re-estimate tasks as more information becomes available and alert the team about a wrong estimation as soon as it is identified.
Break down tasks further as the project progresses.

What Should Be Included in Time Estimation #

Requirement Analysis: Time spent understanding and clarifying requirements.
Design: Time for designing the architecture, database schema, etc.
Development: Coding time for implementing features and functionalities.
Testing: Local testing. Unit&Integration test coverage if applicable. Testing on dev after merging to ensure changes are applied.
Code Reviews: Time for reviewing code by peers or senior developers. Time for adjustments based on code review feedback.
Bug Fixing: Time spent on identifying and fixing bugs and issues.
Meetings and Communication: Time allocated for team meetings, status updates, and communication with stakeholders.
Deployment: Time for preparing and deploying code to different environments (development, staging, production).
Buffer for Unplanned Work: Time for unexpected tasks, such as urgent bug fixes or scope changes. Again multiply the initial estimate by a safety factor (e.g., 1.3 to 2) to cover unplanned work and uncertainties.
Documentation: Writing and updating documentation for code/APIs/user guide, if applicable.
Integration: Time spent integrating with other systems or components.